The Ocean Race Europe is planned to take place every four years, with a two-year interval between installments of The Ocean Race Europe and The Ocean Race. This would allow teams to take part in an Ocean Race-related competition every two years.[4]
Background
In 2018, The Ocean Race was taken under new ownership by The Ocean Race 1973 SLU,[5] a successor company to Atlant Ocean Racing.[6] This ended the twenty-year-long period of ownership of The Ocean Race by the Volvo Group and Volvo Cars, although Volvo was retained as a sponsor[7] and premier partner.[5] A ten-year plan confirming future editions of The Ocean Race on a four-year cycle was announced in July 2020.[2][8]
After the 2021 Ocean Race was postponed to 2022-23 because of the COVID-19 pandemic,[5][9] the event's owners carried out a feasibility study on a potential European race in 2021.[8][10] The 2021 Ocean Race Europe was announced in October 2020,[11][12] with entries opening in January 2021.[13] Twelve teams were announced for the 2021 Ocean Race Europe; seven teams competed in Volvo Ocean 65s (VO65s), while five others competed in IMOCA 60s.[1][14]
The 2021 Ocean Race Europe used foiling IMOCA 60s and the one-design VO65s.[1][4] The two classes compete at the same time and along the same route, with separate winners and prizes in each class.[1] All boats are fully-crewed and have female crew members on board.[15] Both the IMOCA 60s and VO65s will contest the 2023 Ocean Race.[10]
A ten-day, four-leg race from Klaipėda, Lithuania to the South Swedish Waypoint was organised by four of the seven VO65 teams in the lead-up to the 2021 Ocean Race Europe. Team Childhood 1 took overall victory.[18][19]
The first leg of the 2021 Ocean Race Europe, from Lorient to Cascais, commenced on 29 May 2021. It was won in the IMOCA 60 class by CORUM L'Épargne,[20] and in the VO65 class by The Austrian Ocean Race Project.[21][22]
The first of two coastal races was held in Cascais on 5 June 2021. It was won in the IMOCA 60 class by Offshore Team Germany,[23] and in the VO65 class by Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team.[24]
The second leg of the 2021 Ocean Rage Europe, from Cascais to Alicante, commenced on 6 June 2021.[25] 11th Hour Racing Team were forced to return to Cascais after a collision that damaged their port foil.[26] The team resumed racing later that same day after their damaged foil was removed.[26][27]
A second edition has been announced for 2025. The start is planned to take place 10. August 2025 in Kiel, Germany, with a finish in the Mediterranean sea and up to five intermediate stops to be announced in spring 2024.[29]
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